Seal means for a push button



July 10, 1962 T. H. KRUEGER SEAL MEANS FOR A PUSH BUTTON Filed April 15, 1960 INVENTOR.

Theodore H. Krueger 99%, 31cm 5 MU-V.

ATTORNEYS 3,043,148 SEAL MEANS FGR A PUSH BUTTON Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford, Conn. Better Packages, Inc., Shelton, Conn.) Filed Apr. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 22,497 1 Claim. (Cl. 7417.8)

This invention relates to tape dispensers, and particularly to machines for dispensing gummed tape in measured lengths in which delivery of the tape is controlled by push buttons. Tape dispensers of the character described are largely used in shipping rooms which, owing to the handling of large numbers of packages, are frequently dusty places. In particular, in machines for handling gummed package-sealing tape, particles of gum may become attached in the form of dust some of which may find its Way into the push button mechanism and disturb the proper operation of the apparatus. This is particularly true where push buttons are associated with electric switches which may be interfered with by the entrance of dust therein.

It is an object of the invention to provide a protective means for the push buttons which, while not interfering with their freedom of action, will prevent the entry of dust into the casing in such a way as to disturb the accurate functioning of the apparatus. Another object of the invention is to provide a ready means for indicating or designating certain push buttons which are to be used frequently for specific lengths of tape, such means being of such nature that it may be readily changed to meet the needs of tape lengths required for special runs of boxes or packages.

In the accompanying drawing, which shows a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser having the invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the push button caps used in practising the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the cap shown in FIGURE 2, applied to a push button mounted on the casing of the dispenser.

For purposes of illustration the invention is shown as incorporated in a push button dispenser of the construction disclosed in application for patent, Serial Number 801,867 filed March 25, 1959, now Patent No. 2,994,464.

The dispenser shown comprises a main casing containing tape-dispensing rolls and tape cut-01f means and driven by an electric motor, the tape being delivered through a moistening couple 12. The rolls and other internal mechanism of the dispenser are not shown as the details of this construction are not a part of the present invention. Mounted on the main casing 10 is a control housing or key drum 14 on which are mounted a plurality of push button controls 16, each of which when actuated will cause the feeding of a predetermined length of tape. In the construction shown in the aforesaid application, and illustrated schematically in FIG. 3, each push button construction comprises a body or housing 18 which is secured in an opening inthe drum 14 and in which the push button 20 is loosely retained. The push button 20 actuates a pin 22 which acts upon the resettable switch 24- so as to close the same. Each switch is so arranged that it will control the delivery of a specific length of tape.

An important feature of these push button dispensers is the fact that they may be made to operate very easily and quickly with the lightest finger touch. In order to accomplish this result it is desirable to avoid a push button construction in which there is any frictional resistance, and accordingly loose fits are necessary and access of dust to the interior of the apparatus through the push button openings, and particularly the presence of dust at the switch contacts, may take place. The present invention provides a construction for avoiding this result without interfering with the easy operation of the push buttons.

Flexible caps of an elastomer such as natural or synthetic.

rubber or plastic are provided, these caps having thin flexible tops 30 preferably formed integrally with base rings 32 of heavier .construction which fit tightly upon the cylindrical surfaces 34 of the push button housings and which have bottom surfaces 36 which bear tightly against the portions of the key drum around the push buttons. These caps eflectually seal the push button openings against the entrance of dust into the interior of the key drum, While at the same time, owing to their thin flexible tops, do not interfere with the operation of the push buttons by light finger touch. It will be observed that the base rings 32 are provided with laterally extending flange portions which may be grasped between the thumb and finger to enable the stretching of the base rings over the cylindrical surfaces 34 of the push button housings. The removable caps including the base rings and the extending flange portions are of flexible plastic so that with the aid of the flanges, they may be very readily applied or removed.

The application of removable caps over the push buttons also provides for a ready means of designating particular push buttons which are to be used for feeding specified lengths of tape for particular packaging operations. This is accomplished by making certain of the push button caps of distinctive color or marking. As these caps are removable, the distinctively colored or marked .eaps may be placed on the proper push buttons for a particular job and may be changed when necessary when packages of another size are to be handled. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the push buttons corresponding to 21 and 30 inch lengths are designated by specially colored caps. If a diiferent length, such as 36 inches, is going to be required for a series of packages instead of a 30 inch length, obviously the colored cap could be changed from the 30 position to the 36 position.

I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts, as Well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a dispenser for package-sealing tape having a series of push buttons for controlling lengths of tape to be delivered, said push buttons being mounted in a housing, said push buttons having bodies in which the push button elements are loosely movable, said bodies having cylindrical portions projecting outside of the housing, and caps consisting entirely of flexible elastic material having bodies fitting tightly but removable around the cylindrical bodies of the push buttons and engaging the face of the housing, said cap bodies having laterally projecting elastic flange portions providing finger grips, said flanged cap bodies Patented July to, 1%2

a a a 4 7 having suffieient elastic'strength to retain themselves in Re erences C ted in the file Of this pate t position upon the Cylindrical bodies of the push buttons UNITED STATES PATENTS without external retaining means the elastic and frictional 0 n L- 2,539,386 Albert June 30, 1951 eu a ement of the cap bodies COHSLltlltHlg the sole means v 2,795,144 Morse June 11, 1957 for retaining the caps on the push button bodies, said caps 8 having thin, flexible portions formed integrally with said OTHER REFERENCES cap bodies and extending over and in contact with the Product Engineering (Design Edition), VOL 30 N movable elements of the push buttons so as to exclude dust ber 46, Nov. 9, 1949, published by McGraw-Hill (copy but at the same time permit the application of light presavailable Patent Office Scientific Library), pages 12 and sure to operate the push buttons. 1 13 of the magazine. I 

